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The Apollo Alliance
This alliance is a progressive-Democrat organization. Although it was just unveiled in June, the alliance already is building a broad coalition in support of good jobs and energy independence within labor unions, environmental groups, business, municipalities and churches.

The main proposal of the alliance is that an intensive public spending program, similar to the Apollo Program appropriations that followed President Kennedy's launch of a moon-travel goal in 1961, would help make the United States independent of fossil fuel energy sources while providing new jobs in green industries.

Bracken Hendricks, who heads the alliance, explains it this way: "(It is) a bold program to advance energy efficiency and promote renewable energy, like wind and solar power, and drive investment into new technology and public infrastructure. (This) would create two million jobs and offer stimulus to our flagging economy.

"At the time of the 1973 oil embargo, the United States imported 35 percent of its petroleum. Today we import well over half," Hendricks adds. "Since we consume a quarter of the world's oil, yet have only 3 percent of its reserves, there's no way we can solve this problem with more drilling at home. But our problems go deeper than oil: We use 25 percent of the world's energy, nearly three times the amount of any other country, while deregulation has upset the energy sector and environmental impacts threaten to limit our growth.

"The New Growth Initiative, a joint project of the Institute for America's Future and the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, has laid out a bold, $300 billion plan for the next 10 years. It would be broad-based, sharing the benefits of investment widely across the economy while insuring that no single sector bears all the costs. And it would be immediate, deploying proven and cost-effective technologies that exist today.

"Such an Apollo project would promote renewable energy sources like wind and solar. It would convert assembly lines to put American-made cars using advanced technology on the road. It would help older plants improve their environmental performance, preserving domestic manufacturing jobs. It would deploy new technology for pollution control as well as research how to capture carbon from coal plants, and it would invest in research and development to deploy hydrogen fuel cells," Hendricks says.

Current partners in the Apollo Alliance include the Institute for America's Future, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Common Assets Defense Fund, Americans for Energy Freedom and Carol/Trevelyan Strategy Group.

For more information, go to www.apolloalliance.org.

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Francis Bacon (1561-1626) referred in his Advancement of Learning [Book II] to:

The sun, which passeth through pollutions and itself remains as pure as before€

Obviously, Bacon knew his St. Augustine:

Spiritalis enim virtus sacramenti ita est ut lux: etsi per immundos transeat, non inquinatur. (The spiritual virtue of a sacrament is like light: although it passes among the impure, it is not polluted.) [Works, Vol. III]

Who in turn knew his Diogenes:

The sun, too, shines into cesspools and is not polluted.
-- Diogenes Laertius, Lib. VI, Sect. 63

New Question
Q1, Vol. I, Issue 14
Is there anyone out there still using passive solar technology as we do-Trombe walls-at our home in central New Mexico? I'd love to hear from people still using passive solar.
-- Jane Underhill, Belen, NM
Do you have an answer or comment? Send it here.
Please include your name and location.

Send questions! Do you have a question about any aspect of solar energy or other renewables? Send it to SUN-Enews here.

Let's Stick Together
I read Victor Eyal's comments on cost-effectiveness in the SUN-Enews [Vol. I, Issue 13, "A1.3, I.11"]. Even though heating water with solar thermal is more efficient than photovoltaics (PV) in actual conversion of solar energy and paybacks are shorter, that does not mean no other form of solar energy is cost-effective. One could ask whether the swimming pool itself is cost-effective.

"Is solar power cost-effective yet?" is the most common question we get in our renewable energy (RE) store. Cost-effectiveness is a personal issue. I often answer, "Would you rather own your house or rent it?" For people living miles from the power grid, solar electric can be cost-effective immediately if they are looking at a cost of $20,000 to $30,000 per mile to bring power in. Water pumping is one of the most wonderful things that solar PV does well.

It troubles me to hear someone in the solar business saying solar is not cost-effective. I disagree heartily! We have never had an unhappy solar customer and we have never done a solar swimming pool heater. Please try to support the entire solar industry for what it is. Solar is a 10!
-- Mary Hamilton, Solar Plexus, www.solarplexus1.com

To send us SUN-E feedback, click here.

Solar Power Enters Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan launched its first solar energy project in the Kazakh commercial capital of Almaty this week. Funded by the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the move is seen as a major first step in promoting clean and efficient energy usage in Central Asia's largest nation.

As part of the initial scheme, 1,500 residents are set to benefit from the program. If successful, the heat and hot-water system could be replicated at suitable locations throughout the country of 15 million.

"The contribution of renewable energy sources to the country's energy mix is nil," Selva Ramachandran, Deputy UN resident representative in Kazakhstan, said. "I hope the successful demonstration of this solar cells project will open the way for a greater application of solar energy as part of renewable energy not only in urban areas, but also in rural areas for the socio-economic benefit of poor people."

California Solar Alert
The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) has released a legislative alert regarding a proposed Republican budget that they say targets all of the California Energy Commission (CEC) funding for solar and other renewable energy programs. CALSEIA is urging concerned businesses and individuals to contact their California representatives to prevent what they say could have dire consequences for renewable energy in California.

At news time, it appeared the Republican agenda had been tabled temporarily, but solar advocates said the proposal still needs to be fought. CALSEIA officials said these proposed Assembly Republican cuts would terminate the entire CEC solar rebate program (for systems less than 30kW), which would destroy the foundation of the photovoltaic (PV) industry in the state.

For more information, contact CALSEIA Executive Director Jan McFarland at mcfarlandj@sbcglobal.net, or through the organization's link here.

Southern States Power Co. Acquires SUN Utility Network
Southern States Power Company Inc. (SSPC), a member of the National Biodiesel Board, has entered into an acquisition agreement to own 100 percent of SUN Utility Network Inc., contingent upon a 90-day review of SUN's contracts.

The addition of SUN's solar power contracts, which have projected gross profits of more than $7 million, is designed to augment Southern States Power Co.'s renewable power portfolio as the company moves forward on projects across the United States.

Les Hamasaki, president of SUN Utility Network, said, "Our company looks forward to SSPC's assistance acquiring the funding necessary to bring to fruition all of the more than 30 solar energy projects that we have in the planning stages. As a result of our participation in the LADWP and other incentive programs, as well as utilizing Southern States' strategic partnership and alliances, SUN expects to see many additional clients added to our project development roster."

To send solar energy news, click here.

Solar Primed for Natural Gas Shortfall
Solar power could replace nearly one-third of the natural gas supply shortage expected in the United States by 2005, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). SEIA represents both solar electric and solar thermal technologies in the United States. The organization says the federal government would have to take steps this year to promote the expansion of solar energy in the country, including a federal rebate of US$4 per watt for solar photovoltaic generation (PV). The rebate would be phased out over time and would mimic successful rebates or "buy downs" that are offered by numerous states.

A tax credit of 25 percent for system purchases and an extension of the wind energy tax credit to solar (including a temporary triple multiplier for the first 1,000MW of solar to come on line) also are required if the target is to be met, the group explains. Other solar provisions contained in the House and Senate energy bills also must be passed.

"If Congress included a solar power stimulus section as part of its pending energy bill, we could mitigate nearly a third of the natural gas shortfall with clean, renewable power from the sun in 2005," said SEIA Executive Director Glenn Hamer. "The elements needed are already being debated in Congress; we just need strong leadership to strengthen these provisions and get them signed into law."

The U.S. government is increasingly concerned that the current shortage of 3 to 4 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day cannot be alleviated for several years. Reports suggest that much of the problem stems from the growing use of natural gas to generate electricity.

"As the president and Congress recognize, the tax code is the fastest way to jump-start the economy," adds Hamer. "It's also the fastest way to stimulate new clean energy production to alleviate the natural gas shortage."

Last month, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said wind turbines are already helping to reduce the natural gas supply shortage and could be deployed rapidly over the next few years to bring it under control. It estimated that wind farms could save 0.5 Bcf per day by next year, which means the natural gas shortage would be 10 percent to 15 percent worse if it were not for the relatively small amount of wind generation installed across the country.

A rapid expansion of turbines over the next four years could increase output to equal 3 Bcf per day. AWEA called for a five-year extension of the wind energy production tax credit that expires at the end of this year, tariff reform to increase effective transmission capacity on the current grid and a national renewable portfolio standard.

For more news on diverse forms of renewable energy, click here.

To submit solar political news or opinion pieces, click here.

Solar Glossary
A short list of common terms:
Passive solar—Harvesting the sun's radiant heat through greenhouse windows, Trombe walls, transpired solar walls, brick floors and other non-electric uses.

Solar hot water—Sometimes called solar thermal; usually involves storing solar energy in a heat storage device to heat water for household or commercial use. It also can be used to heat a home through baseboard radiators or embedded floor tubing, as well as to heat and cool swimming pools.

Solar electric—Using the sun's energy to run electrical systems, excluding electric heating elements.

Grid-tied and off the grid—Remaining on the electric grid after converting to a solar-electric system is called "grid-tied." A solar electric system that stands alone and is not connected to the electric utility is considered "off the grid."

Net metering—When you convert to solar energy and remain hooked to the larger electric utility, you have an automatic backup if your solar system does not generate as much electric power as you need to use on any given day. On the other hand, most of the time your solar system will generate more power than you are using, and will let that generation flow into the larger electric "grid." Most states now have "net metering" laws that allow you to connect your renewable energy system to the grid and bank your electrons there, literally making your meter spin backward and reducing your electric bill, often to a credit rather than a debit charge. To download a table of state net metering programs, click here.

To submit a news item or tip for people beginning to explore the world of solar energy, click here.

Philippines Company Developing New Glass
Asahi Glass Phils., Inc. (AGP) is seeking a US$9 million investment from bankers for a pioneering project in the Philippines involving the production of a low-iron, high-transmittance, tempered glass for solar panels application.

AGP President Renato R. Ermita said the project would generate export revenues of $6 million in the first year and grow to $10 million after a few years. Ermita said it would require a redesign of one of the existing Asahi furnaces, installation of some new auxiliary facilities and additional equipment for processing.

Implementation would be on a phase-by-phase basis starting with the furnace modification, followed by the installation of auxiliary facilities and lastly the processing equipment spanning a period of 50 months, starting July 2004.

According to Ermita, AGP's proposed project was encouraged by the decision of American-owned SunPower Corp. to locate its US$320-million solar power project in the Philippines. SunPower had shown some hesitation to locate that project there because there were no raw materials to support its work. With the project of AGP, this means that SunPower can source its requirements from Asahi. "The high-value product (of SunPower) will use for its primary raw material a high-grade silica not previously available in Asia and therefore, imported," Ermita said. SunPower, a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp., will build a 150MW photovoltaic plant/solar cell project.

To submit a news item or tip for users or providers experienced in solar energy use, click here.

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Renewable Energy Developing in Mexico
The World Bank is preparing to appropriate US$70 million for a project to develop renewable energy in Mexico. Consumption of electricity will grow by 6.3 percent a year during this decade, forcing Mexico to increase capacity by 32,219MW by 2010. The majority will come from combined cycle gas turbines, with large hydro adding 3,191MW and geothermal adding 123MW of capacity.

The first US$25 million of the World Bank project will assist Mexico to stimulate and accelerate the commercialization of renewable energy applications and markets, particularly at the grid-connected level, to reduce GHG emissions while responding to increased energy demand. The second phase would require $45 million. In addition to the World Bank's US$25 million support, Mexico will invest US$7.5 million, local sources will provide US$65 million, unidentified bilateral agencies will provide US$25 million and unidentified foreign private commercial sources will provide US$150 million, to make the total project cost $272 million.

The World Bank assessment notes that reform of Mexico's electricity sector will provide opportunities to expand renewable energy sources which "appear to enjoy support across a range of political interests."

Mexico has a broad array of world-class renewable energy resources, but has developed very few of these resources due to the historic availability of domestic oil and gas and a constitutionally-based mandate to acquire only least-cost electric power resources, the assessment explained.

Only a small portion of Mexico's total energy needs currently are met by renewables, with geothermal at 855MW, 2MW from the La Ventosa and Guerrero Negro wind farms and solar PV providing 14MW. The solar electricity is not connected to the grid.

It is projected that use of renewables in Mexico could grow by 3,752MW by 2010, to 14,487 MW but, excluding large hydro and geothermal, the growth in renewables will be only 438MW, a small number when compared to the 27,357MW from all capacity additions. Under an "aggressive" expansion scenario, wind could add 2,000MW by 2010 while small scale hydro could add 300 to 500, biomass another 150 and solar PV, 10 to 20 MW.

The project also is seen as a significant broadening of World Bank and GEF experience, particularly in stimulating grid-scale renewable energy technology. The World Bank and GEF have developed renewables in India and China, and this Mexican project will demonstrate important linkages between policy/pricing considerations and incentive for renewable energies. The project will use international best practices to minimize the visual, bird-strike and land-use impacts from wind turbines, while impacts from biomass, small-hydro and small geothermal installations will be addressed in the second phase.

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